Extract obtained by a commercially viable process for the extraction of furostanolic saponins from fenugreek seeds, in which one of the compounds in the extract is protodioscin

Abstract

Disclosed is an extract obtained by a commercially viable process for the extraction of furostanolic saponins from fenugreek seeds, in which one of the compounds in the extract is protodioscin. The process includes providing plurality of fenugreek seeds and crushing the same by milling and grinding; performing a primary extraction on the prepared fenugreek seeds using a first hydrophilic polar solvent which is a lower primary aliphatic alcohol followed by ion-exchange chromatography; performing a secondary extraction after ion-exchange chromatography using a composite solvent; and decolorizing the final extract by use of activated charcoal concentration of the extract by heating and vacuum drying sieving the final powdered product.

I claim: 
     
       1. An extract obtained from fenugreek seeds by a commercially viable process comprising the steps of:
 providing plurality of fenugreek seeds and crushing the same by milling and grinding; 
 performing a primary extraction on the prepared fenugreek seeds using a first hydrophilic polar solvent which is a lower primary aliphatic alcohol followed by ion-exchange chromatography; 
 performing a secondary extraction after ion-exchange chromatography using a composite solvent which is a mixture of a chlorohydrocarbon and an aliphatic alcohol; and 
 decolorizing the final extract by use of activated charcoal concentration of the extract by heating and vacuum drying sieving the final powdered product, wherein 
 seeds used in the extraction process have a furostanolic saponin content of not less than 1%, 
 the extraction process is carried out below 80 degree Celsius, and wherein the final extract comprises a mixture of five furostanolic saponins in which protodioscin is one of the marker compounds, as measured by HPLC. 
 
     
     
       2. The extract obtained from fenugreek seeds by a commercially viable process comprising the steps of:
 providing plurality of fenugreek seeds and crushing the same by milling and grinding; 
 performing a primary extraction on the prepared fenugreek seeds using a first hydrophilic polar solvent which is a lower primary aliphatic alcohol followed by ion-exchange chromatography; 
 performing a secondary extraction after ion-exchange chromatography using a composite solvent which is a mixture of a chlorohydrocarbon and an aliphatic alcohol; and 
 decolorizing the final extract by use of activated charcoal concentration of the extract by heating and vacuum drying sieving the final powdered product, wherein 
 seeds used in the extraction process have a furostanolic saponin content of not less than 1%, 
 the extraction process is carried out below 80 degree Celsius, and wherein the final extract comprises a mixture of five furostanolic saponins in which protodioscin is one of the marker compounds, as measured by HPLC, 
 wherein the final extract comprises a mixture of five furostanolic saponins in which protodioscin is one of the marker compounds, as shown in  FIG. 4 .